Event takes flight at West Delray park

It's a good thing the remote-control airplane pilots' permanent airfield is tucked way back in West Delray Regional Park.

Otherwise, there would be panicked calls about the skies overhead filled with jets, choppers and brightly painted planes, and the buzzing would drive the neighbors crazy.

The Southeast Big Bird Fly-In is set for Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of the Palm Beach Radio Control Association. The remote-control aircraft flying club was granted air and ground space when the park opened last year, and this is its first year to host this event.

"We expect pilots from Georgia and all over Florida," said Walt Dreyfus, club secretary.

Some 50 to 60 fliers are expected to arrive with up to three or four aircraft each, with minimum wingspans of 60 or 80 inches, depending on the model.

"It's not a contest, just a fun fly to show off their airplanes," Dreyfus said, although pilots and spectators will pick their favorites.

Most of the aircraft will be scale models of actual military, civilian and aerobatic planes, said Doug Christensen, club president.

"We expect to have a B24 bomber and other World War II aircraft, a GeeBee pylon race and a host of Piper Cubs, but the majority will be scale aerobatic Extra, Edges," Christensen said.

"The more-experienced pilots can perform 3D maneuvers that full-scale planes cannot do, harriers, elevator torque rolls and rolling circles. These maneuvers use the propellers to generate lift rather than the wings," he said.

The club is planning for 300 to 400 spectators, and there will be food vendors. Members will serve a full barbecue at 4:30 p.m., and reservations aren't necessary. Spectators get in free.

The county has to issue permits, so there's no rain date, but Dreyfus isn't worried. The rainy season has passed, and the club has an overhang with benches.

"This is just a fun event to see the field and the hobby," he said.

It's an expensive one, to be sure. The jets can cost as much as $20,000, and the planes start at around $8,000.